Delta Air Lines partners with startup to improve pet travel

This file photo from May 2009 shows a dog in Houston getting ready to fly along with its owner.(Photo: Dave Einsel, for USA TODAY)

ATLANTA (AP) — Delta is partnering with a pet travel pod startup, as it changes its prices and policy for transporting passengers' animal companions, the airline announced Tuesday.

Delta Air Lines struck a long-term partnership with CarePod, saying the Singapore-based startup will help it carry and monitor pets better and give real-time updates to customers. The firm offers safety monitoring, tracking and logistics software for transporting pets.

The details of the deal are unclear, but the Atlanta-based airline said in a statement that its cargo division will "launch a new pet transportation strategy" through the partnership.

Shawn Cole, vice president of Delta Cargo, said the demand for shipping pets is strong and the company is always looking for ways to improve the travel experience for pets and their owners.

"Working with a start-up like CarePod allows Delta the flexibility to enhance our service in new and innovative ways," he said in the statement.

Jenny Pan, CarePod's founder and CEO, said the startup's goal is to transform the future of pet travel, calling the opportunity to work with Delta an "exciting step."

In 2016, Delta stopped accepting pets as checked baggage following criticism for the death of pets in checked carriers. Instead, Delta said some pets could travel as carry-ons in the plane's cabin and others could be shipped via Delta Cargo, with rates at the time ranging from roughly $195 to $1,485.

The economy class cabin of Delta's new Airbus A321 is seen during the company's media day at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on April 29, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Lunch is served to members of the media during a tour of its new Airbus A321 aircraft on April 29, 2016, at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Delta Air Lines' first Airbus A321 narrow-body airplane rests outside a company hanagar at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on April 29, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Reporters and bloggers explore Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for at least 75 of the jet earlier in the week. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Members of the media explore Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for the jet earlier in the week. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Luggage bins hang down in Bombardier's CSeries jet during a tour in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for the jet earlier in the week. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

A reporter examines Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order the jet earlier in the week. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Members of the media explore Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for the jet earlier in the week. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

A unique set of stairs offers access to the top of the giant GE-90 engine, one of the largest in the world, on a Delta Air Lines' Boeing 777-200LR at Delta's TechOps facility in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY